Lacovia Basic School Upgraded

Teachers and students of the Tiny Tots Basic School in Lacovia now have improved surroundings to enhance the teaching and learning process. The St. Elizabeth-based school was recently expanded by the Culture Health Arts Science and Education (CHASE) Fund and the Digicel Foundation at a cost of more than $15 million. The institution, which for many years operated from the nearby Vision Deliverance Centre, due to lack of space, now boasts four classrooms, staff quarters, sick bay, male and female bathrooms, kitchen, a multipurpose room and play area with perimeter fencing. “We have been praying for this for a long time and we have finally reached the goal and the children are happy,” said member of the school board, Sandra Brown at the handing over ceremony held on Tuesday (February 23) at the Vision Deliverance Centre. “This is a most exciting time for our community and the future looks much brighter for the students,” she added. Chief Executive Officer of the CHASE Fund, Mr. W. Billy Heaven, said every effort must be made to ensure that the nation’s children receive the best education. “Our children represent our future. Helping one child helps us all. Our future will be dark if we allow this generation to grow up ignorant or illiterate. I challenge the community and all stakeholders to take care of this investment, let us as a people come together and work together so that we can build a better nation for all,” he urged. Executive Director of the Digicel Foundation, Major General Robert Neish, in his remarks, called on residents to unite around the education of the children. “We hope that this will make the community stronger (with) parents participating in the PTA meetings, the teachers expanding their own knowledge and giving back more to the students, and the community at large supporting the school on the various efforts that must keep it going,” he said. Meanwhile, Councillor for the Lacovia Division, George Powell, said the upgrading of the school will help to enhance leaning. “The intervention of Digicel and CHASE will make our children better human beings in the future,” he stated.